"This disc is unreadable" error occurs when you use a Games on Demand game

You see the following error message when you try to play a Games on Demand game on your Xbox 360:

This disc is unreadable. It may be the wrong region for this console. Match the region of the disc to the console. Clean the disc with a soft cloth. Restart the console. For more help, go to www.xbox.com/support.

This problem can occur when you're not using the same profile used to purchase the game, or your Xbox 360 console can't read game files on the disc or on the hard drive.

Solution 1: Check that you're using the Xbox profile used to purchase the game

Check that your Xbox profile is the same one used to purchase the game. If it is, go to Solution 2 to verify that your console has the license for the game.

Solution 2: Transfer the game license to your console

If you're using a different console than the one you used to purchase the game, you will need to transfer the content license to the console where you want to play the game.

Note You can only transfer a license once every 4 months. See Xbox 360 digital rights management for more information.

If you purchased a new console or had your console repaired, use the license transfer option on your new console. Here’s how:

1. On your new console, sign in to your Microsoft account using the Xbox profile used to purchase the game.
   Need to find your Microsoft account or password? See the Lost Account Solution or the Lost Password Solution.
2. Go to settings, and then select Account.

3. Under Your Billing Options, select License Transfer.
4. Follow the instructions to transfer the content licenses.
5. After you transfer the licenses, download the content again to update the local licenses. For information about how to do this, see How to redownload previously downloaded or purchased content to your Xbox 360.

Other profiles can now use this content on your console. You can also use the content when you’re not connected to Xbox Live.

If this solution doesn't work, try the next solution.

Solution 3: See the Xbox 360 Disc Drive Solution

If you see this error when you try to play a game from a disc, follow the steps in the Xbox 360 Disc Drive Solution.

Solution 4: Delete and reinstall the game

Note Deleting and reinstalling the game will not remove your saved game data from your account.

1. Select settings, and then select System.
2. Select Storage, and then select your storage device. For example, select the Xbox 360 Hard Drive.
3. Select Games and Apps, and then select the Games on Demand game that doesn't play. Take note of the size.
4. Select the Games on Demand game, and then select Delete.
5. Go to the Microsoft Store and download a game demo or other content that is approximately the same size as the Games on Demand title.

   Note Game demos are a no-cost way to add content to your hard drive.

6. Press the Guide button  on your controller.
7. Select Settings, and then select Account.
8. Select Download History.
9. Select the Games on Demand game, and then select Download Again.
10. Once it's downloaded, try playing the Games on Demand game.

Solution 5: Delete and reinstall the game to a different storage device

Note Deleting and reinstalling the game will not remove your saved game data from your account.

1. Select settings, and then select System.
2. Select Storage, and then select your storage device. For example, select the Xbox 360 Hard Drive.
3. Select Games and Apps, and then select the Games on Demand game that doesn't play. Take note of the size.
4. Select the Games on Demand game, and then select Delete.
5. Remove the storage device from the console that you were storing the game on, and then attach another storage device to download the content to. For more info on alternate storage options, see Xbox 360 storage.
6. Press the Guide button on your controller.
7. Select settings, and then select Account.
8. Select Download History.
9. Select the Games on Demand game, and then select Download Again.
10. Once it's downloaded, try playing the Games on Demand game.